Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20001-5403
Phone (202) 842 0200
Fax (202) 842 3490
 Contact Us
Support Cato

Immigration

The overriding impact of immigrants is to strengthen and enrich American culture, increase the total output of the economy, and raise the standard of living of American citizens. Immigrants are advantageous to the United States for several reasons: (1) Since they are willing to take a chance in a new land, they are self-selected on the basis on motivation, risk taking, work ethic, and other attributes beneficial to a nation. (2) They tend to come to the United States during their prime working years (the average age is 28), and they contribute to the workforce and make huge net contributions to old-age entitlement programs, primarily Social Security. (3) Immigrants tend to fill niches in the labor market where demand is highest relative to supply, complementing rather than directly competing with American workers. (4) Many immigrants arrive with extremely high skill levels, and virtually all, regardless of skill level, bring a strong desire to work. (5) Their children tend to reach high levels of achievement in American schools and in society at large.

Get the latest on Immigration: RSS Feed RSS   AddThis Feed Button

Books and Book Chapters

"National ID Systems," Chapter 29, Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th Edition (2009).

"Immigration," Chapter 60, Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th Edition (2009).

Cato Studies

"Globalization: Curse or Cure? Policies to Harness Global Economic Integration to Solve Our Economic Challenge," by Jagadeesh Gokhale, Policy Analysis no. 659, February 1, 2010

"Restriction or Legalization? Measuring the Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform," by Peter B. Dixon and Maureen T. Rimmer, Trade Policy Analysis no. 40, August 13, 2009

"As Immigrants Move In, Americans Move Up," by Daniel Griswold, Free Trade Bulletin no. 38, July 21, 2009

"Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification: Franz Kafka's Solution to Illegal Immigration," by Jim Harper, Policy Analysis no. 612, March 6, 2008

"The Fiscal Impact of Immigration Reform: The Real Story," by Daniel Griswold, Free Trade Bulletin no. 30, May 21, 2007

[View more Cato Studies]

Articles and Newsletters

"On the False Charge of Isolationism," by William A. Niskanen, Cato Policy Report, September/October 2001.

Opinion and Commentary

"Will Democrats Err in Immigration Reforms?," by Daniel Griswold, Washington Times, November 17, 2009

"Go North, Young Man!," by Will Wilkinson, The Atlantic, September 11, 2009

"Bipartisan Visa Program Could Fix Nation's Illegal Immigration Mess," by Daniel Griswold, Investor's Business Daily, August 14, 2009

"The Immigration Fallacy," by Will Wilkinson, The Week, April 27, 2009

"Obama's Fine Act in Trinidad," by Juan Carlos Hidalgo, Cato.org, April 23, 2009

[View more Opinion and Commentary]

Events

"Restriction or Legalization? Measuring the Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform," August 14, 2009 [Capitol Hill Briefing]

"Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders," June 18, 2008 [Book Forum]

"Highly Skilled Immigrants: Opening the Doors to Prosperity," April 17, 2008 [Capitol Hill Briefing]

"Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them," September 12, 2007 [Book Forum]

"Comprehensive Immigration Reform for a Growing Economy," August 1, 2006 [Policy Forum]




Multimedia

Daily Podcast "Obama and Immigration in 2010" featuring Daniel Griswold, January 15, 2010 [Flash Audio, 08:08]

Media Highlight Daniel Griswold on immigration on C-SPAN August 15, 2009 [Flash Video, 38:36]

Media Highlight Juan Carlos Hidalgo discusses immigration on Univision's Noticiero August 14, 2009 [Flash Video, 02:05]

Media Highlight Daniel Griswold discusses immigration on FOX affiliate KFOX 14's 14 News at Nine August 14, 2009 [Flash Video, 01:32]

Daily Podcast "PASS ID: A Kinder, Gentler National ID Card" featuring Jim Harper, July 7, 2009 [Flash Audio, 05:51]

[View more Multimedia]